Method and apparatus for rewinding a continuous filament



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ZOKKe K/UO Qe ATTORNEYS Dec. 26, 1961 R. A. PlM

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REWINDING A CONTINUOUS FILAMENT Filed Nov. 20,1957 Tw/a/ I m n Dec. 26, 1961 'R. A. PM 3,0

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REWINDING A CONTINUOUS FILAMENT Filed NOV. 20,1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNE YS 3,014,337 Patented Dec. 26, 1961 3,014,337 METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR REWINDHIG A CONTINUOUS FELAMENT Richard A. Pim,Waterville, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Johns-ManvilleFiber Glass Inc, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov.20, 1957, Ser. No. 697,654

16 Claims. (Cl. 57-60) This invention relates broadly to a method andapparatus for twisting stranded filaments into a yarn. Morespecifically, it relates to a method and apparatus for metering the feedrate of the stranded filaments from inside a stationary package and formaintaining a constant tension at the spinning spindle.

Prior to the subject invention all metered control of first twist fiberwas either drawn tangentially from outside a rotating package at aconstant linear rate or over one end and from the outside of astationary package and subsequently metered over feed rolls. The firstprior method involved rotating a constantly diminishing and relativelyheavy package at high speeds, which speeds can only be synchronized withthat of the feed rolls and spindle at one diameter of the package. Inthe second method, the stranded filaments as they are drawn from thepackage slide over the length or a portion thereof which sliding contactabrades the filaments, increases tension on the filaments between thepackage and the feed rolls and also contributes to breakage of thestrand.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method fortwisting filaments and apparatus therefor wherein the filaments arewithdrawn from the inside of a stationary package.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method and apparatusfor twisting filaments which automatically metersthe lineal feed of thefilaments to the spindle.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method and apparatusfor withdrawing continuous glass strand from a package with a minimumamount of tension being imposed on the strand at the point ofwithdrawal.

' Itis still another object of this invention toprovide a method andapparatus for twisting filaments which meters the filaments to thespindle at a constant, predetermined tension.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparentduring the course of the following description when taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the same:

. FIG. 1 is an isometric drawing of a single spindle of a'spinning frameincorporating the apparatus of the invention;

. FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the supply package and themetering apparatus; and

)FIG. 3 is a front elevation of FIG. 2, with parts in section.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the numeral designatesa spinning apparatus in general including a frame 11 comprised of two ormore vertical supports 12 and a plurality of tiers or platforms, in thisinstance three which in ascending order are numbered 13, 14 and 15.

' Spinning apparatus in commercial use is provided with a plurality ofspindles and with any one of a number of devices for stopping thefilament feed to any one spindle in the event of breakage of thefilaments; To simplify the explanation, only one spindle is shown andthe filament break detection apparatus has been omitted.

; A spindle 16 is mounted for rotation on a slide 17 which is movable onthe upper surface of the lower tier 13 in a direction transverse to thetier 13. The mechanism for moving the slide forms no part of theinvention and therefore has not been shown shown in the drawings. Thelower portion of the spindle 16 is in the form of a fiat faced pulley 18and the upper portion thereof is constructed in any suitable manneradapted to receive and rotate a spool or bobbin 19 upon which the yarnis traversed. A fiat belt 20 is positioned to the rear of the pulley l8and is advanced by an electric motor 21 and a pulley 22 mounted on themotor shaft 23. A traveler ring 24 is mounted on a verticallyreciprocating frame 25 to wind and traverse the filaments 26 upon thespool.

The arrangement described above is commercially in use on multiplespindle spinning frames.

A guide 27 for the stranded filaments 26 is secured to the tier 14 aboveand in substantial vertical alignment with the axis of the spindle 16when the latter is in engagement with the belt 2d.

A device 28 for metering the filament supply is positioned on the toptier 15 of the frame 11, substantially in vertical alignment with theguide 27 and the spindle 16 when the latter is in engagement with thebelt 20. A circular hole 29 is cut through the top tier 15 of the frame11 in vertical alignment withthe axis of the spindle 16 and a circulartube or mandrel 30 having a flange 31 formed on the bottom end thereofis secured to the top surface of the tier '15 by screws 32 enteringtapped holes 33. As illustrated in the drawings, the axis of the tube 30extends perpendicularly above the top surface of the tier 15.

A pair of bearings 34 are retained in the hole 29 and support a smalldiameter conduit 35 for rotation on an axis corresponding to the axis ofthe tube 30. The conduit 35 extends below the level of the tier 15 andreceives a pulley 36 at the lower end, and also extends above the levelof the tube 30. The top face of the conduit 35 is formed in a smoothradius 37 and the hole 38 extending axially thereof is burnished toremove any projections which might snag the filaments 26. A crank 39,made of rod stock, is welded to the side of the conduit 35 near the top,and projects outwardly and downwardly to a level slightly below the topof tube 30. A guide eye 40 is fastened to the crank 39 near the bottomend thereof and projects outwardly therefrom. A collar 41 is secured tothe outside diameter ,ofthe conduit 35 and is supported on the innerrace of-the top bearing 34 to retain the associated component parts inposition.

Three or more posts 42 rise from the upper tier 15 equally spaced abouta diameter that is concentric with the hole 29. The posts accuratelycenter a package or cake 43 of stranded filaments 26 about the conduit35 on the tier 15. It will be noted that the guide eye 40 is positionedslightly above the top of the package or cake 43, as clearly shown inFIG. 3.

A motor 44 or other suitable driving means is suspended from the lowerside of the tier 15 and carries a pulley 45. A belt 46 connects thepulley 45 on the motor 44 with the pulley 36 on the conduit 35 to imparta constant speed clockwise motion to the conduit 35, the crank 39 andthe guide eye 40, as viewed from the top. The clockwise rotatingelements recited above are hereinafter designated as a filament feedmechanism 47. It is obvious, that the directionof rotation may bereversed upon reversal of the threading around the tube 30 and reversalof the direction of rotation of motors 21 and 44.

After a cake 43 has been placed on the tier 15 within the confines ofthe posts 42, the inside free end of the strand 26 may be wound aroundthe polished exterior of the tube 30 in a clockwise direction as viewedfrom the top for an initial number of turns; two turns are sufiicient.The strand is subsequently threaded through the guide eye 40, the hole38 in the conduit 35, the guide 27, the traveler ring 24 and started onthe spool 19.

At this point it is appropriate to point out that the spool 19 and thefilament feed mechanism 47 are both rotated to respectively take up yarnand feed filament at a constant, synchronized lineal rate and thatfriction at the traveler ring 24, the guide 27 and the guide eye 4%remains constant at each point. However, the tension required towithdraw the strand from the cake 43, though less than the tensionapplied by the rotating spool 19, is not constant throughout the entirecake nor does it re main constant from one cake to another. This hasbeen a major source of faults in textile spinning operations.

The filament feed mechanism 47 is designed to compensate for thevariations in tension on the strand 26 as it is withdrawn from the cake43 and operates to supply yarn at a constant lineal rate of speed and ata constant tension tothe spool 19.

The apparatus as a whole is in a state of equilibrium or a normal statewhen the sum of the force required to withdraw the strand 26 from thecake 4-2 and the force required to overcome the friction of the slidingmovement of the strand around the tube 30 is equal to the force exertedby the wind-up spool 19. Friction through the various guides isnegligible and is omitted to simplify this description of the operation.However, since the force required to withdraw the strand from the cakevaries within any one cake and between successive cakes, the number ofturns of the strand 26 around the tube 30 varies inversely with thedifferential between the force required to withdraw the strand from thecake at any given moment and the force required when the apparatus is inequilibrium. For example, as the force required to withdraw thestrand'26 from the cake 43, decreases from the normal force, the numberof turns of the strand 26 around the tube 39 increases and when thewithdrawal force increases above the normal force, the number of turnsaround the tube decreases.

In other words, the turns or bights of the strand 26 around the tube 30,regardless of the number over one, snubs the strand to provide asubstantially constant tension at the spool 19. When the strand 26freely separates from the cake 43, the actual point of withdrawal of thestrand from the cake leads the rotating guide eye 4%) to increase thenumber of turns around the tube 30. Conversely, when the strand 2eresists separation from the cake 43 at a force level above the normal,the actual point of withdrawal of the strand from the cake lags behindthe rotating guide eye 46. Since the linear take up at the spool 1hremains constant and in this instance exceeds the withdrawal from thecake, the excess length of strand required to satisfy the take updemands at the spool is borrowed from the surplus represented by theaccumulated turns around the tube 30.

Applicants apparatus is particularly adapted for rewinding glass fiberstrand composed of a plurality of threads. In forming a single strand,the individual fibers are pressed against a pad to pick up bindingfluid. Because of the varying degree with which the fibers pick up thebinding fluid some portions dry faster than others. This phenomenoncauses the individual bights of the originally formed cake or package toadhere to each other in varying degrees, particularly when oils or thinsolutions are employed and the coating remains substantially in a fluidor slightly viscous condition.

Another factor which contributes to the tendency of the strands toadhere in varying degrees is that in forming the bights of a packagesome portions intersect each other and tend to crimp one or both of theintersecting strand portions. Such crimping increases the magnitude offorce required to separate one intersecting portion from another in theoriginally formed package.

The variations in the force required to withdraw the strand from thecake, above and below the normal force,

are generally of short duration, and the magnitude of the withdrawalforce successively fluctuates from a high to a low point and back to ahigh point. The high points of strand withdrawal force are coincidentwith the points of intersection of successive strand traverses of thecake. This is true of any cake comprised of strand material which iscoated, lubricated or sized in any manner.

While applicants device is particularly adapted to unwind a cake orpreformed package of glass fiber strand wherein the individual turns orbights have a tendency to adhere for reasons cited, it will beunderstood that the device may be used to unwind any type of strandmaterial which has a tendency to adhere for any reason.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same, but thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. The method of winding a continuous strand from a supply packagecontaining the same wherein successive turns of the strand thereon havea tendency to adhere to each other in varying degrees of adherence,comprising the steps of: withdrawing the strand from said package at anaggregative constant rate wherein the instant rates vary inversely tothe force required for withdrawal from the package while accumulating anexcess of said strand at a point intermediately of the points ofwithdrawal and the point of application of the withdrawing force, andadvancing said strand from the point of application of the withdrawingforce to a rewind point at a rate which is in synchronous relation withsaid aggregative rate.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 which further comprises the step ofrewinding the strand with a constant tensional force.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein a substantially constantfrictional force is impressed upon the filament at the intermediatepoint.

4. The method of rewinding a continuous strand from a tubular formedcake onto a bobbin comprising the steps of, in the recited order,removing the strand in reverse order of wind from the interior of thecake by directing the strand in a radial direction toward the axisthereof by a first force, accumulating an excess of said strand aboutsaid axis, imposing a constant tension on said strand, directing saidstrand to a bobbin, and winding said strand at said constant tension onsaid bobbin by a second force.

5. The method of winding a continuous strand onto a bobbin from atubular supply package containing the same wherein successive turns ofthe strand on the supply package have a tendency to adhere to each otherin varying degrees of adherence comprising, in the recited order,directing the strand from the inner surface of the tubular supplypackage by a first force toward the axis thereof at a lineal rate whichfluctuates in direct proportion to the adherence of said successivestrand turns, accumulating a varying increment of said strand, imposinga constant tension upon said increment, directing said strand to abobbin and winding said strand by a second force at said constanttension onto said bobbin.

6 The method of winding a continuous strand as defined in claim 5,wherein said increment is accumulated at a rate which varies inverselyto the adherence of said successive turns of strand to each other on thesupply package.

7. The method of removing a continuous strand from a tubular supplypackage wherein successive turns of the strand on said package have atendency to adhere to each other in varying degrees of adherencecomprising, in the recited order, removing the strand from the interiorof the package by directing it in a general radial direction toward theaxis thereof through the application of a first force, accumulating anexcess of said strand about said axis, imposing a constant tension onsaid strand, and directing said strand away from said tubular supplypackage in a direction generally coaxial to said supply package throughthe application of a second force.

7 8. In apparatus for rewinding a continuous filament from a helicallywound cake in the form of a hollow cylinder wherein the force ofwithdrawal intermittently varies above and below a normal, including arewind bobbin and means for rotating said bobbin to rewind said filamentat a first constant lineal rate, the improvement comprising a platformfor supporting said cake in an upright position, a filament feedmechanism including a conduit rotatably mounted on an axis coincidentwith the axis of said cylinder and a guide eye carried by said conduitin circumscribing relation to said axis adapted to threadedly engage andWithdraw the filament from inside the cake, means for rotating saidfilament feed mechanism about its axis to Withdraw said filament fromsaid cake at an aggregative constant lineal rate equal to said firstconstant lineal rate and wherein the instant rate varies inversely withthe force of withdrawal.

9. The improvement as defined in claim 8, which further comprises astationary tube concentrically disposed around said conduit and withinthe circumscribing arc of said guide eye upon which the filament iswound by said feed mechanism in a number of bights, the number thereofvarying directly with the instant differential between the lineal rateof filament withdrawal and the lineal rate of filament rewind.

10. In apparatus for producing a twisted multi-filarnent yarn includinga helically wound supply cake in the form of a hollow cylinder, a rewindbobbin and means for rotating said bobbin to rewind said yarn at aconstant lineal rate, the improvement comprising, a support forsupporting said cake in an upright position, cylindrical tube means inconcentric relation with said cake adapted to receive a plurality ofturns of said filament from inside said cake, conduit means extendingthrough said support in concentric relation within said tube, means forrotating said conduit in synchronous relation to the rotation of saidbobbin, and means including a crank and guide eye carried by saidconduit adapted to wind said filament about said tube and to direct saidfilament through said conduit to said bobbin at said constant linealrate and at a constant tension.

11. In apparatus for rewinding a continuous filament from a helicallywound cake in the form of a hollow cylinder wherein the force ofwithdrawal intermittently varies above and below a normal, including arewind bobbin and means for rotating said bobbin at a constant rate, theimprovement comprising a platform for supporting said cake in an uprightposition, a filament feed mechanism mounted for rotation on an axiscoincident with the axis of said cylinder and including a guide eyemovable therewith in an orbit circumscribing said axis, means forrotating said filament feed mechanism about its axis in synchronousrelation to the rotation of said rewind bobbin, a stationary tubeconcentrically disposed around said conduit and within the confines ofsaid orbit, said filament feed mechanism and said tube cooperating towithdraw said filament from inside said cake at an aggregative constantrate and being adapted to accumulate the excess yarn around said tubewhen the instant rate of withdrawal exceeds the aggregative rate.

12. Apparatus for unwinding a package of continuous strand formed ofindividual turns having a tendency to adhere to each other with varyingdegrees of adherency and for supplying a strand at uniform tensionalforces which comprises, in combination: support means for positioningand supporting said package about an axis; an

apertured strand withdrawing member which receives a free end of saidstrand through its aperture, said aperture being radially displacedfrom. said axis, said withdrawing member being rotatable at a constantpredetermined speed about said axis to unwind and withdraw the strandfrom said package; and accumulating means for receiving an accumulationof the strand withdrawn from said package, said accumulating means beingconcentric about said axis and intermediate said package and saidwithdrawing means.

13. An automatic strand tension regulator for rewinding machines havingbobbins comprising, in combination: means for positioning and supportinga preformed strand package in a vertical position; a mandrel concentricto the axis of the strand package for receiving a portion of saidstrand; and a rotating member for threadably receiving said strand, saidmandrel and said rotating memher being cooperatively arranged to unwindsaid strand from said package, to wind and position said strand aboutsaid mandrel, and to unwind portions from said mandrel and pass saidportions through the threadable portion of said rotating member.

14. A constant tension unwinding device for preformed strand packagescomprising, in combination: means for supporting a preformed strandpackage about an axis; a mandrel concentric with said axis for receivingan accumulation of strand from said package; a rotating member alsoconcentric with said axis and defining an aperture in spaced relationwith said axis through which the strand from said mandrel is threaded,said rotating member being rotated at a predetermined constant rate toremove the strand from said mandrel with uniform tension; and means forreceiving the strand from the apertured rotating member.

15. The method of providing a strand with a substantially constanttensional force which comprises, in combination: withdrawing the strandfrom a preformed package supply source at random tension; accumulatingthe withdrawn strand about a mandrel; withdrawing the strand from saidmandrel in a manner whereby the amount of accumulated strand isdecreased when the tension forces at the supply source are above normaland is increased when said tension forces are below normal; andadvancingthe strand from the point of withdrawal to a rewind point at a ratewhich is in synchronous relation with the aggregative rate at which theaccumulated strand is withdrawn from said mandrel.

16. The method of rewinding a tubular shaped package of continuousstrand having a tendency to adhere which comprises, in combination:directing the strand from the inner surface of the tubular supplypackage toward the axis thereof at a random rate corresponding to theadherency of the successive strand turns; winding a varying increment ofsaid strand about a mandrel positioned at said axis; and removingportions of said increment at a constant aggregative rate which imposesa constant tension upon said increment for advancement at a constantaggregative rate to a rewind point.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,803,124 Nau-Touron Apr. 28, 1931 1,813,611 Dickie et al. July 7, 19312,481,538 Rowedder Sept. 13, 1949 2,699,032 Landolt Jan. 11, 19552,718,363 Roberts Sept. 20, 1955 2,739,766 Rayburn Man-27, 1956 FOREIGNPATENTS 164,207 Germany Nov. 7, 1905'

